Three possible scenarios of Software Defined Networking (SDN)

Software-defined networking (SDN) is an approach to create a centrally controlled programmable packet network. Any protocols with the same approach could be considered as SDN as well.

For open protocols, we have one popular standard protocol “OpenFlow” talking among the central controllers to all managed networking devices. Open Network Foundation (ONF) defines OpenFlow protocol.

In fact, vendors also have developed proprietary protocols to implement this same approach. For example, Cisco’s ACI is a proprietary SDN solution.

Here I summarize 3 most probable scenarios when we deploy SDN.